Isle of Wight Festival finishes in style

Bringing the country into the city for folk duo India Electric Company's new project

Travis brought this year’s Isle of Wight Festival to a close with their headlining set at the Big Top.

They sang the famous Why Does it Always Rain on Me? But this year, apart from a late Friday night cloudburst, festival-goers were spared the mud of some previous years.

A massive 50,000 music fans packed the site at Seaclose Park in Newport on the island.

Earlier American rockers Kings of Leon closed proceedings on the main stage with hits such as Sex on Fire and Use Somebody.

And before them reunited Britpop heroes Suede thrilled the massive crowds.

Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl, had a stall in the Hey Joe tent. Co-founder Steve Courtnell said: ‘It’s the first time we’ve bought a stall to a festival and it’s gone really well.

‘It’s a pleasure to meet so many lovely people, and it’s just a great atmosphere.’

On Friday, photographer Edie Lawrence from Winchester presented Tom Odell, the Chichester singer-songwriter with a painting she had done of him. She said: ‘I’ve been a huge fan since the beginning.

‘I saw him supporting Jake Bugg at the Wedgewood Rooms when hardly anyone knew him, and it’s been great seeing him get so popular.’

It was the first ever festival for friends Lauren Haines, 22, and Rosina Hadley, 21.

Lauren, of Horndean, said: ‘It’s been amazing, we’ll definitely be coming back. The 1975 were brilliant and so were Biffy Clyro and the Chili Peppers.’

Kirk Anderson, 48, of Laburnum Grove in Waterlooville added: ‘I’ve been to a few festivals, but this is the first Isle of Wight, and it’s been really good. It’s very family orientated, and it feels like everyone’s equal. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone’s just here to have a good time.’

Die hard Pompey fan Robby Wheeler, 45, from Yapton, was taking it easy at the tent run by Southsea club night Hipshaker, and said: ‘ It’s not necessarily about the bands, it’s about the people. We’ve been having a great time talking nonsense with people and having fun.

‘I thought the Chili Peppers were a bit disappointing, I think everyone was gutted they didn’t play Under The Bridge. The Ramonas, an all-woman Ramones tribute here at Hipshaker were brilliant though.’

Southsea band Kasassin Street played the Hipshaker tent on Sunday afternoon. Frontman Rowan Bastaple said: ‘It was amazing, so many more people came than we were expecting.

‘We used to come here to the festival as kids, so to come here and play is just so cool.’

Former Pompey and England keeper David James was at the festival for BT Sport. He said: ‘This has been my first ever music festival. The bands haven’t been bad – the football wasn’t great though.’